St Helena School
99%
Capacity
987
Pupils
3.1x
Demand
About St Helena School
St Helena School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Colchester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 987 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 1,000 places).
Ofsted has rated St Helena School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Serena Kay, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.31 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 41.6. Additionally, ranked 2274th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 10 in Colchester.
St Helena School is a popular choice with families — it received 571 applications for 186 places, making it 3.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 122 were first-preference applications.
St Helena School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (1.9/5 from 5 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Helena School include Astro Turf, Tennis Courts, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Science Labs, Dining Hall, Theatre, Art Studios, Playing Fields.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Hockey, Martial Arts, Rounders and 2 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Debate, Coding, Film Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 29.2%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Colchester, St Helena School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Sheepen Road, Colchester, Colchester, CO3 3LE |
| Headteacher | Serena Kay |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 987 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 29.2% |
| School Capacity | 987 / 1,000 (99% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
30 Jan 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 14 Mar 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.31)
2274th of 3,141
Nationally
259th of 350
In East of England
9th of 10
In Colchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed186
571
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
122 families put this school as their 1st choice (21% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Helena School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Sheepen Road, Colchester
Colchester, CO3 3LE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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